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The SBI is investigating the death of an Avery County Jail inmate, found dead last week. Sheriff Kevin Frye released a statement this afternoon saying that, at 12:27 Wednesday morning, Walter Earl “Dood” Prichard, 44, was brought into the Avery County Jail on Assault
on an Officer and Disorderly Conduct criminal charges. The release says that detention staff placed Prichard in a watch cell and maintained regular visual inspections. At about 12:32pm, Prichard was checked and was OK, but only a few minutes later, at about 12:39, Prichard was found unresponsive and medical assistance was sought. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, according to Sheriff Frye, who immediately notified the State Bureau of Investigation who began to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and that investigation. Sheriff Frye says that probe is currently ongoing. Photo: Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home